St. Paul daily globe., 1887-01-13
The only apparant reason for complaint is
the amount expended for maintenance, which
seems too large.

The only apparant reason for complaint is
the amount expended for maintenance. which
seems too large.
INSPECTION OF ms ANE HOSPITALS.
There is no provision under the law for the
Official inspection of our hospitals for the IN
sane. There ought to be. The people of the
territory, many of whom have friends and
relatives in the asylums, and all of whom are
interested in the humane features OF this
work, have right to know how patients are
treated, and how these public charities are
governed and administered. l confess
that with all my facilities for knowing the IN
side workings of these institutions, / am I'M
certain rs 10 the treatment of unfortunates.
If this duty were confided to a competent
person, whose labor should also include
prison visitation and the examination of ap-
plications for pardon. he would supply for the
time being the place of board of charities
and corrections which must in time be ere
ated for the territory.
PRISONS.
There are eighty-siX prisoners in the terri
torial penitentiary at Sioux Falls By plac-
ing two in a cell, this prison will accommodate
144 males and ten females, so that it would
not seem necessary to provide further room
at present, unless it is desired that prisoners
should be entirely separated. The Bismarck
penitentiary contains fifty-two prisoners, all
but one of whom have been sentenced from
North Dakota in the past twelve months.
The law of 1885 allowing the governor, at his
option. to open the Bismarck penitentiary as
reform school, was found imperative,
owing to the failure to confer upon the courts
power to sentence prisoners of this class to
Imprisonment at Bismarck.
THE GOVERNMENT OF PRISONERS.
l should be glad TO have committee Of the
legislature examine into the workings and
management of the two Denitentiaries.
think it important, for the reason that there
10 pursue III the government of these institu-
tions. Prisons must necessarily be places tC
be dreaded and Stunned, or confinement i'll
them will aid very little in inspiring q
wholesome fear of the law. AT the same time
we should see that the treatment is humane
and in keeping with the policy of reformation.
How to draw the line between too great sever
it, on the one hand and too much leniency on
the other is an impo rtant question.
PARDoNS.
The question ot pardons is one that demands
the consideration of the legislature. No duty
that devolves upon the governor is filed with
more perpleXit, than that relating to prison
ers applying for mercy or justice at his hands.
Since my last communication to the legisia-
lure l have issued fourteen pardons. Sen
teheeS have been cOmmuted in six cases.
a board of pardons would be a valuable aux
fliarY in enabling the governor to arrive at
correct conclusions in pardon cases.
have been very much AMI very favorably
impressed with the law passed in 1855, in III e
state of Ohio, relating to the parole of pris-
oners. 1t provides that when any prisoner
is imprisoned under a sentence other from
that of murder in the first or second degree,
who has served the minimum term provided
| by law for the crime of which he was con-
victed and who has not been previously con-
victed OF felony, he may be allowed to go
upon parole outside the building or enclos-
ure, but to remain in the legal custody and
hn nt..n1 of I,n n,.1 Gt1INi
any time to be taken back. Full power to re-
take and re-imprison is conferred upon the
board. So far as l have been able to learn
the law has worked well in Ohio, although OF
course its full fruits cannot as yet be real
lied, owing to the brief time which it has
been i'll operation.
THE MILITIA.
The militia has cost somewhat more than
the annual appropriations, and the overplus,
amounting to 81, 1851, has been paid out of
the general fund. The auditor explains in
detail why this was done. In this and several
other laws there is a mandatory provision re-
gu ring certain accounts to be audited and
paid, seemingly regardless OF the amount ap-
propriated While this was not an objection
anle provision in this instance, perhaps, II is
one that is liable to lead to much embarfaSS-
ment. | recommend therefore that law be
enucted similar TO that passed by congress
prohibiting payments beyond the amount OF
the appropriation in each case. This will re
lieve the territorial officers from doubt in a
number of cases which arise even year in
the transaction of public business. / nm not
inclined, hope, to permit my pride In the
militia organization to affect my Judgment,
but am pe,fectl. confident that in appear
ance, drill and general effectiveness. the Ma
tiona guard of Dakota stands in advance, not
only OF all territories. but of many states
long since admitted to the Union and granted
the privileges still denied her.
THE CENSUS.
The entire expenses Of taking the census of
the territory amounted to S44, ,9BS.37. The
amount allowed for the purpose by the treas
ury department was S35. .506.99, leaving bal
ance of SO, 46l.58. Three thousand two hun
dred and forty-one dollars and thirty-lhree
cents of this allowance was withheld by the
department to cover the direct tax levied in
1861, and which Dakota, in common with
nearly all the states, failed to pay III full.
This amount will be returned to the territory
as soon as authority can be obtained from
congress.